The 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader

The 21 Indispensable
Qualities of a Leader
This presentation adapted from
the book of the same title by John
C. Maxwell (1999)
Information-2-Knowledge, LLC
www.info2knowhow.com
What are the 21 indispensable qualities of

a Leader?
21 Traits of a Leader
Character
Charisma
Commitment
Communication Competence
Courage
Discernment
Focus
Initiative
Generosity
Listening
Passion
Positive Attitude Problem Solving Relationships

Responsibility
Security
Self-Discipline
Servanthood
Teachability
Vision
Independent Information
Professional AKA
Information Brokers
Consultants
Independent Analyst
Independent Researchers
Freelancers
Fee-Based Information Providers
Independent Information Professionals
(IIP)
What does an Independent

Information Professional Do?
Provide information & knowledge services
to:
organizations (all sizes and types)
with existing staff
independent of existing staff
contract
short term or long term
1: Character
More than talk

Talent is Gift, Character is a Choice
Lasting Success with People
Leaders cannot rise above the limitations
of their character
Personal Assessments
Take assessments
Look for character flaws
Identify the patterns
Repair your character
Rebuild your character
Where can you demonstrate your

character?
Library Associations
Private Companies
Public Companies
Health Agencies
Attorneys
Government Agencies
Educational Institutions
2: Charisma
Love Life
Put a 10 on Every Persons Head
Give People Hope
Share Yourself
Build Rapport
Focus on others
Make a good 1st impression
When meeting new people, learn their
name and focus on their interest
Be positive and treat them like a 10.
10
3: Commitment
When it comes to commitments, there are

really only four types of people
Cop-outs (people with no goals, dont

commit)
Holdouts (people who dont know if theyll
reach their goals
Dropouts (people who quit when the going
gets touch)
All-outs (people who set goals, commit to
learn and pay the price to reach them)
11
Getting Started
Create a Plan that includes:
Research
Self-Assessment
Select a Niche
Develop a Business Plan
Join Professional Associations
12
4: Communication
The leader must be able to share

knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense
of urgency and enthusiasm to others.
13
Effective Communicator
Simplify Your Message

See the Person (be audience oriented)
Be Credible
Believe what you say

Show conviction
Be a catalyst for action (Give people

something to feel, remember, and do)
14
Communicating with Clients
Advertising [Cards, Brochures, Website]

Articles & Books
Word-of-Mouth
Customer and Colleague Referrals
Association of Independent Information
Professionals (AIIP)
Public Speaking, Radio Interviews
Social Networking
15
5: Competence
Competence goes beyond words.

Its the leaders ability to say it, plan it, and
do it in such a way that others know that
you know how--- and know that they want
to follow you.
16
Competence
Show up every day

Keep Improving
Follow Through with Excellence
Accomplish More than Expected
Inspire Others
17
Basic Requirements
You need:
Experience to develop confidence in your own

abilities.
Develop expertise in information services
Familiarity with information resources
Understanding of the information industry
Network for referrals
Business Sense
18
Research (Books)
Building and Running a Successful Research Business:
A Guide For the Independent Information Professional,
by Mary Ellen Bates (Information Today Inc. 2003),
Information Brokering: A How-To-Do-It Manual by

Florence M. Mason and Chris Dobson (Neal-Schuman
Publishers, 1998)
Super Searchers Make It On Their Own by Suzanne

Sabroski
19
Research Trends and Impact
Articles
Internet
Examine Websites
Personal Interviews
20
3 Types of Competent People
Those who can see what needs to

happen.
Those who can make things happen
Those who can make things happen when
it really counts.
21
Self Assessment
Do you have the Right Stuff ?

(temperament and skills)
Identify knowledge gaps
Find available resources (enhance skills)
graduate library schools

community colleges courses
database vendors (LexisNexis, Dialog and
Factiva)
Small Business Development
22
Know the Tools of the Trade
Different vocabulary
Primary/Secondary Research
Competitive Intelligence
Due Diligence
Deliverables
Not to Exceed Budgets
Error & Omissions Insurance
Non-compete clause
23
6: Courage
Courage is rightly esteemed the first of

human qualitiesbecause it is the quality
which guarantees all others
24
Be Courageous
Courage begins with an inward battle

Courage is making things right, not just
smoothing them over
Courage in a leader inspires commitment
from followers
Your life expands in proportion to your
courage
25
Only one key to success:

Marketing
Become Visible
Develop Marketing Strategies
Develop Marketing Tactics
Create Marketing Kit
Niche Marketing (Show Uniqueness)
Free Advertising
Life Long Learning
26
Warm Calls
Read Sam Richters Book
27
7: Discernment
Smart leaders believe only half of what

they hear, Discerning leaders know which
half to believe
-------- John G. Maxwell
28
Maximize Effectiveness
Discover the root issues

Enhance your problem solving
Evaluate your options for maximum impact
Multiply your opportunities
29
Put your foot in the water

Before diving in.
Building
a business takes time,

and an information business is no
different.
30
8: Focus
Focus 70% on your Strengths

25% on New Things
5% on Areas of Weakness
31
Focus
Work on yourself
Shift to strength
Staff your weaknesses
Work at your priorities
Create a competitive edge
32
Cardinal Virtues
Being Organized
Self-Motivated
Resilient
Determined
Dependable
Trusted
Perseverance
33
9: Generosity
Be grateful for whatever you have

Put people first
Dont allow the desire for possessions to
control you
Regard Money as a resources
Develop the habit of giving
34
You have not lived today until you have

done something for someone who can
never repay you.
---John Bunyan
35
Find Opportunities to Give
Volunteer to Speak for nonprofit

organizations
Volunteer to help a nonprofit set up their
library
Create a network of resources
Give away tips for finding resources
Become a mentor
36
10: Initiative
Know what you want

Push yourself to act
Take more risk
37
Only those who dare to fail greatly can

ever achieve greatly
--- Senator Robert Kennedy
38
Develop a Business Plan
You will need to:

secure financing
buy equipment
select a name
corporate structure
identify potential clients
develop a marketing plan
create 30, 60, 90 day plans
39
11: Listening
Change your focus and listen

Hear your customers concerns,
complaints, and suggestions
Learn from your competitors
Listen to a mentor
40
Tune into your Clients
For ways to improve a project or process

Identify clear lines of accountability
Willingness to take advice
Need for value added services
Internal financial issues
Ethical and honest behavior
Industry referrals opportunities
41
12: Passion
Passion is the 1st step to acheivement

Passion increases your willpower
Passion changes you
Passion makes the Impossible possible
42
Let Passion Drive Your Niche
Specialization
technology
research technique
industry
type of service
type of product
43
Niche Development
Online Searching
Bibliographic
Instruction
ILL/Doc Delivery
Strategic Planning
Public Speaking
Telephone Reference
Space Planning
Competitive
Intelligence
Training
Rapid Doc Delivery
Facilitation
Expert Witness
Testimony
Primary Research
44
You Can NOT Do Everything
Specialization
makes marketing your services easier

make it possible for you to maintain your
expertise
helps you stay highly competitive in this
information-intense environment
45
13: Positive Attitude
Your Attitude is a Choice

Your Attitude determines your actions
Your people are a mirror to your Attitude
46
Attitude, Aptitude, Altitude
Select work that you enjoy doing

Hire people with positive attitudes
Create a fun work environment
Apply your talents to worthwhile causes
Allow yourself to be creative
47
Client Attitudes about IIP

work
Independent Information Professionals

that transform information from:
Descriptive
Prescriptive
Reactive
Proactive
Data Collection
Insight
Detailed Summary
Power Pages
48
14: Problem Solving
Anticipate problems
Accept the truth
See the big picture
Handle one thing at a time
Dont give up on a major goal when you
are in the valley
49
Find Solutions
identifying & handling information challenges

comprehensive due diligence
expert research
competitive services
global market
customizing deliverables
complex and/or rush request
accuracy and rapid turnaround
50
Use outside resources to find

solutions
Small Business Administration

SCORE
Community Colleges
Executive Coaches
Chamber of Commerce
Business Associations
Small Business Development Centers
51
Strategic Imperatives
Must be
very organized
self-motivated
able to handle isolation, tolerance for uncertainty
and disappointment
able to balance multiple task
able to keep good records
capable of handling rejection
capable of keeping yourself physically fit
52
15: Relationships
Work towards understanding people

Have a leaders heart love people
Extend a leaders hand help people
53
Relationship Building
Keep Lines of Communication Open

Dont rely on technology to create
relationships
The Best Surprise is No Surprise at all
Provide Clarity in your Work
Develop a Networking Plan
Help people connect to one another
54
16: Responsibility
Get the job done

Go the extra mile
Be driven by excellence
Produce regardless of the situation
55
The buck stops here!
56
Contingencies
Develop a contingency plan

Develop a disaster plan
Backup Computer
Develop a network of subcontractors
Identify alternatives
57
17: Security
You must feel secure to make others feel

secure
Give more to people than you take
Dont limit your best people
Dont limit your organization
58
Past Work Experience Helps

Minimize Insecurity
Solo Librarian
Reference Librarian
Technical Service
Librarian
Library Director
Academic Librarian
Corporate Librarian
Information Specialist
Part-time Consultant
ID Client Needs
Primary & Secondary
Research
Negotiating &
Estimating
Project Management
Proposal Writing
Business
Management
59
18: Self-Discipline
Develop and follow your priorities

Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal
Challenge your excuses
Remove rewards until the job is done
60
Set a Priority to Build a

Professional Network
Resource People
Subcontractors
Temporary Employees
Freelancers
Other Specialist
Experts In the Field
Client List
61
Contact-to-Contract Process
Initial Client Identification

Contact with Client
Face-to-Face Meeting
Submit Proposal
Contract Negotiation
Deliverables
Final Reports
Presentations
62
19: Servanthood
Put others ahead of your agenda

Possess the confidence to serve
Initiate service to others
Dont be position conscious
Serve out of love
63
Opportunities to Serve
Association of Independent Information

Professionals
Affiliate Relationships, Marketing, Negotiating,
Technology, Meeting Planning
Special Libraries Association
Committee Work, Network Development,
Presentation, Mentorship
64
20: Teachability
Keep growing
Overcome your success
Swear off shortcuts
Trade in your pride
Never pay twice for the same mistake
65
Lifelong Learning
Business Operations & Management

Marketing & Public Relations
Networking & Teambuilding
Primary & Secondary Research Skills
Financial Resources Management
Estimating & Contract Negotiation
Training and Facilitation
66
21: Vision
Vision starts within (see what could be)

Vision draws on your history
Vision meets others needs
Vision helps you gather resources
67
Strategic advantages
determine your own future destiny

decide projects/special interest to pursue
decide how your time is spent
develop your budget and expenditures
flexible scheduling
mobile technology
virtual services
new innovative information challenges
68
Dare to March to a Different

Drummer!
In a time of change, Independent

Information Professional/Consultant work
appeals to those with an independent
spirit - people who have always been able
to handle the rewards and the rejection,
but who prefer to do so on their own time.
69
Dont Quit Your Day Job until

youve mastered at least half of
the 21 Traits of a Leader!
70
Acknowledgement
The content of this presentation was

adapted from John C. Maxwells Book
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a
Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will
Want to Follow
71
Shameless Plug
Seeking a knowledge integration
resources expert to recommend health
resources for a corporate wellness
Contact Rosalind
Lett MLS, AHIP
program
I2K can help!!
678-580-2956
72

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The 21 Indispensable

What are the 21 indispensable qualities of

Positive Attitude Problem Solving Relationships

What does an Independent

More than talk

Where can you demonstrate your

When it comes to commitments, there are

Cop-outs (people with no goals, dont

The leader must be able to share

Simplify Your Message

Believe what you say

Be a catalyst for action (Give people

Communicating with Clients

Advertising [Cards, Brochures, Website]

Competence goes beyond words.

Show up every day

Experience to develop confidence in your own

Information Brokering: A How-To-Do-It Manual by

Super Searchers Make It On Their Own by Suzanne

Research Trends and Impact

3 Types of Competent People

Those who can see what needs to

Do you have the Right Stuff ?

graduate library schools

Know the Tools of the Trade

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of

Courage begins with an inward battle

Only one key to success:

Smart leaders believe only half of what

Discover the root issues

Put your foot in the water

a business takes time,

Focus 70% on your Strengths

Be grateful for whatever you have

You have not lived today until you have

Find Opportunities to Give

Volunteer to Speak for nonprofit

Know what you want

Only those who dare to fail greatly can

Develop a Business Plan

You will need to:

Change your focus and listen

Tune into your Clients

For ways to improve a project or process

Passion is the 1st step to acheivement

Let Passion Drive Your Niche

You Can NOT Do Everything

makes marketing your services easier

13: Positive Attitude

Your Attitude is a Choice

Attitude, Aptitude, Altitude

Select work that you enjoy doing

Client Attitudes about IIP

Independent Information Professionals

14: Problem Solving

identifying & handling information challenges

Use outside resources to find

Small Business Administration

Work towards understanding people

Keep Lines of Communication Open

Get the job done

The buck stops here!

Develop a contingency plan